Accent control for musical instruments.



G. H. PARSONS.

ACCENT CONTROL FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

APPLICIATION FILED OCT. 26, 1916. 1,219,145, Patented Mar. 13, 1917.

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ATTORNEYS soft or UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE H. PARSONS, OF STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO KROEGER PIANO COMPANY, OF STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

ACCENT CONTROL FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

Application filed October 26, 1916.

To all whom it may concern:

lie it known that l, (lnonon H. PARSONS, subject of the King of Great Britain, residing at Stamford, county of Fairfield, State of Connecticut, have invented an Improvement in Accent Controls for Musical Instruments, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates generally to mechanical musical instruments, with more particular reference to so-called player pianos or other instruments in which forces generated by differential air pressures are utilized to actuate the sound-producing instrumentalities. In giving that form of musical expression known as accentuation, in the r i idition of a musical selection, contrasting with the oft-recurring necessity of passing in graded degrees from piano to forte, or vice versa, which comprises the most broadly used meaning of the term expression, it is frequently desired to accent a few notes, or even a single note. Accentuation calls for increased emphasis in varying degrees to be given in a periodical or rythmical manner, and it also applies to such cases in music where a sudden and momentary emphasis is demanded, possibly in a selection which requires what may be termed a quiet interpretation.

In a co-pending application, filed by me May 1916, Serial No. 99,299, I have all and described an appurtenance of a pnelunatically actuated musical instrument for the purpose of controlling the expressun of a selection being rendered by means of the blow-pedals or other devices for primarily receiving the applied forces, which was also designed to effect control of expression through suddenly increasing or decreasing the forces of the impulses transmitted to the sound-prrducing mechanisms. However, the device of my earlier application, aforesaid, is probably best adapted for use when it desired to suddenly increase tone volumes from what may be termed an average degree of intensity, and when it may be desired to maintain the increased tone volume or a sh rt though definite and predetei Unable period of time. The present invention contemplates an even more sensi tive device through the employment of which light but definite accents may not only be brought out purely and substantially instantaneously in soft or light playing, by sud- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 13, 1917.

Serial No. 127,864.

denly augmenting the force applied to either of the pedals, but which may be equally well adapted for the production of exaggerated accents and crashes in what may be termed coarse or comparatively loud playing.

My invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the specification, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of a bellowsset for a player piano, embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary front elevation thereof;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view, taken substantially on the line 33 of Fig. I

Fig. l is a reduced perspective view of the rear of the device with the top thereof broken away;

Fig. 5 is a section taken substantially on the line 55 of Fig. 3, and

Fig. 6 is a sectional view, hereinafter described.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, numeral 11 designates the usual supporting frame of the bellows-set of a player piano, designed to be mounted in the usual manner in the front portion of the base of the instrument. It comprises the usual food-pedals 12 12, connected in the usual manner with the movable rear walls of the exhausters 13 13 which communicate through the windduct 1% with the equalizers 15 and 16. These parts are equipped with the usual valves for the ordinary control of the air currents, the creation of partial vacuums in the exhausters operating through the wind-duct 14 to exhaust air from the equalizers and under normal conditions maintain a substantially uniform degree of reduced air pressure therein, the equalizers communicating with the stack of the instrument (not shown) in the usual manner by means of the pipe 17.

It is well known that in any pneumatically actuated player piano, the determining factor in the power of impulses transmitted to the actual playing mechanisms is the power of the springs in the equalizers, said springs having a tendency to augment the strength of the impulse at a very slightly increasing rate on compression of the equalizers until the movable walls thereof either have their movements impeded by meeting the resistance of additional springs or felt bull ers, or are positively checked by coming into actual contact with the stationary walls of said equalizers, but in either case continued pumping imparts materially increased impulses. Obviously, the exhaustion of the relatively smaller volume of air from an equalizer of small capacity will bring its walls together much more quickly than the same result can be accomplished with an equalizer of relatively large capacity, with its correspondingly greater contained volume of air. it would seem to be apparent, therefore, that an equalizer or equalizers of relatively small capacity would be employed, but, on the other hand, this naturally in creases the di'lliculties in maintaining the essential or desired degree of exhaustion, and otherwise necessitates a degree of skill and experience on part of the operator which is not possessed by the average individual.

it would seem to be apparent, therefore, that if an equalizer of such capacity as is best adapted to the requirements of the aver age operator is employed, and means are provided. for suddenly increasing the resistance offered by the springs, at the will of the operator,without anticipation and merely through the application of greater forces suddenly exerted against either one f the pedals, this desired high degree of sensitiveness would result ithout in any way interfering with the ordinary playing qualities of the instrument when operated by an un skilled person. lVhere the equalizer comprises two collapsible containers, each connected with the usual. wind-duct, and which are also provided with the connections and equipment 1 am about to descriliie, if one of these containers is suddenly cut off from .ommunication with the duct, its function as an equalizer is terminated, but the force of its spring is transferres'l and added to that of the other, this having the effect of simultaneously decreasing the volume of air to be exhausted or partially exhausted and donbling the power of the spring of the effective equalizer.

.ilt the top of the fixed wall of the equalizer 16, where the same usually communicates with the wind-duct i l, I provide a preferably rectangular orifice 18, capped by the contiguous side-wall of the duct 14: which is provided with a relatively smaller and preferably elongated aperture 19, r ssociated with which is the flap-valve 20 which closes to check the flow of air from the equalizer to s..id wind-duct. @bviously if this valve were always in a closed position when the air pressure within the equalizer exceeded that within the duct, as it would continuously during operation of the pedals, this equalizer would simply remain. inert and perform no possible function. I therefore provide a rod. 21, having slide hearings in the opposite side wall of the duct l l and in the small.

plate 22 which spans the elongated aperture 1. (Fig. 5), this rod being provided with a head 23 and being of such length that when inwardly directed movement of said rod is checked by said head, it will hold the valve '20 in a slightly open position.

Pivoted at the top of the arm 24 which projects upwardly from the front wall of the wind-duct, is the rod 25 bent to form a slightly curved extremity 26 adapted to be 4 pressed against he head 23 on the rod 21. The arm is provided with an opening for the reception of a delicate coil-spring 27, in tension between said rod 25 and a suitable anchorage on the other side of the arm 24.

The size and adjustment of this spring 27, and consequently the relative power thereof, is of no little importance in successfully carrying out my invention. W hile air is con stantly being exhausted from the duct l l under action of the pedals, the partial vacuum in said duct is constantly being partially relieved by the flow of air thereto from the stack of the instrument. T he wellknown function of the equalizer is to maintain, through the action of its springs, a substantially uniform degree of air pressure within said duct irrespective of slight variations in the pedal action and the momentary pauses necessarily occurring at the end of the stroke of each pedal. So long as exhaustion from the duct l l is effected uniformly, or at a gradually accelerating or diminishing rate, a very slight force is required to hold the valve 20 in an open position, as th air-pressure variation under such conditions is never sufficient to generate valve-closing forces of such magnitude that they may not be readily overcome by a very weal; opposing or counteracting force. This force is provided by the small spring 27, acting against an arm and when air exhaustion from the duct i l is continuously substantially uni- :lorm, irrespective of the degree of the exhauz-stiug forces, the valve 20 will be retained in an open position but in an exceedingly delicately balanced condition. Therefore, if increased force is suddenly applied to either one of the pedals, in view of the direct connection between each exhauster and the duct 14:, the effect thereof will be to substantially instantaneously increase the variation in air pressures within the duct and the equalizer to an extent sullicient to close the valve 20 against the action of the spring 27, and during the period of closure the equalizer 16 will perform no function.

Collapsing of the equalizers, as hereinbe fore suggested, is yie'ldingly resisted in the usua manner by the employment of springs, the compression spring 28 having the end of one leg thereof secured to the fixed member and the end of the other leg to the movable member of the bellows, thus exerting yieldiug forces tending to expand the equalizer.

The equalizer 15 is similarly equipped with the spring 29. It will be apparent that upon the closing of the valve 20 under an excess of expanding forces suddenly applied to either of the exhausters, both springs may be made to oppose the collapse of the single equalizer remaining effective by providing a suitable connection between the movable parts of the two equalizers. This may be accomplished in many different ways, but I prefer to provide a rod 30, mounted in suitable bearings 31 on the base of the frame of the set, the ends of this rod being bent to provide the upwardly-directed arms and 33. I have shown the movable member of the equalizer 16 provided with a plate 84, and between this plate and the end of the arm 38 I provide the pivoted connectingrod 35.

The movable member of the equalizer 15 is provided with a similar plate 36, but the connecting-rod 37 between the end of the arm 32 and said plate 36, instead of being pivoted'to said plate, is threaded for the reception of an adjusting screw or nut 39 pro vided with a head 40, the shank of this screw or nut passing through a suitable aperture 41 in said plate. It will be seen, therefore, that collapse of the bellows of the equalizer 15 will, through the connecting-rod 87, rock the rod 30 and thus cause both of the springs 28 and 29 to yieldingly oppose such collapse, and although the valve 20 is closed there will be no air pressure resisting collapse of the equalizer 16, for the air therein finds ready outlet through the duct 42 and past the usual spring-pressed check valve 43.

However, it will be seen that the flexible connection between the plate 36 and the connecting-rod 37 (as clearly shown in Fig. 6) permits of expansion of the bellows of the equalizer 16 independently of the bellows of the equalizer 15, which follows more slowly, air entering the latter only when the sud denly applied excess of pressure has been relieved to a degree which permits of the opening of the valve 20.

It will therefore be apparent that through the instrumentalities of the comparatively delicately balanced valve 20 and the mechanical connection between the equalizers, intensified forces suddenly applied to either one of the two pedals will have the effect of instantly cutting out one equalizer, and at the same time instantly doubling the yield ing forces which tend to retain the effective equalizer in an expanded condition. Therefore, I am enabled to transmit forces from the pedals to the sound-producing instrumentalities with such rapidity that it is possible for the operator, without anticipationor what may better be termed anticipatory pedalingmarkedly accentuate a single note in the rendition of a musical selection; and

this without after efiects, for immediately upon cessation of the excess force which has been suddenly applied to one or the other of the pedals, the air pressures within and without the equalizer 16 will instantly be restored to the normal conditions of average playing, permitting the valve 20 to open under action of the spring 27.

My accentor may be rendered inoperative, if desired, by positively holding the valve 20 continuously off the seat, and this I prefer to accomplish by means of the spring-arm 44, adapted to impinge against the arm 25 with sufficient force to overcome the tendency of the valve 20 to close under any practical air-pressure variations. This springarm 44 may be made operative or inoperative by means of the small crank-arm 45, suitably mounted on the front wall of the wind-duct 14-, which is provided with an off-set portion 46 adapted to impinge against the arm 44 and relieve the arm 25 from the pressure of said arm 44, thus rendering the aecenting device operative, or which may be swung down against the face of the windduct 14 to free the arm 44 and subject the arm 45 to the pressure of said arm 44, thus rendering the accenting device inoperative- Many modifications of minor details of my improved accent control for musical instruments will doubtless readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art to which it appertains, and I therefore do not desire to limit my invention to the specific construction herein shown and described.

I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In a pneumatically operated musical instrument, the combination, with an exhauster, means for actuating said exhauster, a wind-duct with which said exhauster communicates and which is designed to have pneumatic connection with the actuating mechanisms of the sound-producing instrumentalities, and a plurality of individually spring-tensioned equalizers all normally communicating with said wind-duct, of means operable upon an excess of force suddenly applied to the exhauster actuating means for instantly cutting off communication between a portion of said equalizers and said duct, and connecting means between said equalizers to combine the forces due to the spring-tensioning of each thereof in the portion of the equalizers remaining effectively operable.

2. In a pneumatically operated musical instrument, the combination, with an exhauster, means for actuating said exhauster, a wind-duct with which said exhauster communicates and which is designed to have pneumatic connection with the actuating mechanisms of the sound-producing instrumentalities, and two individually springtensioned equalizers both normally communicating with said wind-duct, of means operable upon an excess of force suddenly applied to the exhauster actuating means for instantly cutting oil communication stween one of said equalizers and said duct, and means for transmitting the forces due to the spring-tensioning or the inetlectively operable equalizer to the equalizer remain ing effectively operable 3. 1n a pneumatically operated musical instrument,the combination, with the exhausters, two foot-pedals il'or actuating said exhausters, a win l-duct with which said exhauste m-mmunicatc and which is designed to have pneumatic connection with the actuat' g mechanisms or the sound-producing in umentalities, and two individually spring-tensioned equalizers both normally communicating with said wind-duct, of means operable upon an excess oi force suddenly applied to either of said pedals for instantly cutting oll' communication between one or said equalizers and said duct, and means for transmitting the forces due to the spring-tensioning of the inell'ectively overating equalizer to the equalizer remaining eilectively operable.

at. in a meumatically operated musical instrument, the combination, with an exhaustcr, means for actuating said exhauster, a windduct with which said exhauster communicates and which is designed to have pneumatic connection with the actuating mechanisms of the sound}' )i'oclucing instrumentalities, and a plurality of collapsible equalizers all normally communicating with said duct, each or said equalizers being provided with a spring yieldingly opposing collapse thereof, of means operable upon an excess of pressure suddenly applied to the exhaustcr actuating means for instantly cutting olit communication between a portion oi said equalizers and said duct, and connecting means between said equalizers to effect collapse ol. all thereof against the action of their springs upon collapse of that portion 01 the equalizers remaining elliec tively operable.

5. 111 a pneumatically operated musical instrument, the combination, with two exhausters, a foot-pedal for actuating each of said exhausters, a wiudduct with which both of said exhausters communicate and which is designed to have pneumatic connection with the actuating mechanisms of the sound-producing instrumentalities, and two collapsible equalizers both normally communicating with said duct, each of said equalizers being provided with a spring yieldingly opposing collapse thereof, of means operable upon excess of force suddenly applied to either of said pedals for instantly cutting off communication between one of said equalizers and said duct, and connecting means between said equalizers inmate to etl'ect collapse of both thereof against the action ol their springs upon collapse of the equalizer remaining el'lectivcly operable.

6. In a pneun'iatically operated musical instrument, the combination, with an exhauster, means for actuating said exhauster, a wind-duct with which said exhauster communicates and which is designed to have pneumatic connection with the actuating mechanisms of the sound-producing instrumentalities, and two individually springtensioned equalizers both normally communicating with said wind-duct, of a valve for checking the flow 01 air iii-om one said equalizers to said duct, means for yieldingly holding said valve in a delicately balanced open position, and means for transmitting the forces due to the spring-tensioning of the valved equalizer to the equalizer remaining effectively operable when said valve is I' closed.

'7. In a pneumatically operated instrument, the combination, with the e hausters, a foot-pedal for actuating each of said exhausters, a wind-duct with which said exhaus'ers communicate and which is designed to have pneumatic connection with the actuating mechanisms of the sound-producing instrumentalities, and two colla ps1- ble equalizers both normally communicating with said duct, each said equalizers being provided with a spring yieldingly opposing collapse thereof, of a valve for chcc ing the flow of air from one of said equalizers to said duct, means for yieldingly holding said valve in a delicately balanced open position, and connecting means between said equalizers to effect collapse of both against the action of their springs upon collapse of one thereof when said valve is closed.

S. in a pneumatically operated musical instrument, the combination, with the eX- hauste'rs, a foot-pedal for actuating each. of said exhausters, a wind-duct with which said exhausters communicate and which is designed to have pneumatic connection with the actuating mechanisms of the sound-producing instrumentalities, and two collapsible equalizers both normally communicating with said duct, each of said equalizers being provided with a spring yieldingly opposing collapse thereof, of a valve for checking the flow of air from one of said equalizers to said duct, a spring-pressed arm normally holding said valve in a delicately balanced open position, and connecting means between said equalizers to effect collapse o1 both thereof against the action of their springs upon collapse of one thereof when said valve is closed.

9. 111 a. pneumatically operated musical instrument, the combination, with an eX hauster, means for actuating said exhauster, a wind-duct with which said exhauster commusical municates and which is designed to have pneumatic connection with he actuating mechanisms of the souml-producing instrumentalities, and a plurality of collapsible equalizers all normally communicating with said duct, each of said equalizers being provided with a spring yieldingly opposing collapse thereof, of means operable upon an excess of pressure suddenly applied to the exhauster actuating means for instantly cutting of? conmnznication between a portion of said equalizers and said duct, and connecting means between said equalizers to effect collapse of all thereof against the action of their springs upon collapse of that portion of the equalizer remaining effectively operable, said connecting means permitting of independent expansion of said last-mentioned equalizer.

10. In a pneumatically operated musical instrument, the combination, with the eX- hausters, a foot-pedal for actuating each of said exhausters, a wind-duct with wnich said exhausters communicate and which is designed to have pneumatic connection with the actuating mechanisms of the sound-producinp; instrumentalities, and two collapsible equalizers both normally communicating with said duct, each of said equalizers being provided with a spring yieldingly 0pposing collapse thereof, of a valve for checking the flow of air from one of said equalizers to said duct, an eXteriorly1nounted spring-prcssed arm, connecting means between said arm and said valve to hold the latter in an open position, and connecting means between said equalizers to eifect collapse of both thereof against the action of their springs upon collapse of one thereof when said valve is closed.

11. In a pneumatically operated musical instrument, the combination, with the exhaiusters, a foot-pedal for actuating each of said exhausters, a wind-duct with which said exhaustcrs communicate and which is designed to have pneumatic connection with the actuating mechanisms of the sound-producing instrumentalities, and two collapsible equalizers both normally communicating with said duct, each of said equalizers being provided with a spring yieldingly opposing collapse thereof, of a valve for checking the flow of air from one of said equalizers to said duct, an eXteriorly-mounted springs pressed arm, connecting means between said arm and said valve to hold the latter in an open position, means for rendering the pressure of said arm ineflective, and connecting means between said equalizers to effect collapse of both against the action of their springs upon collapse of one thereof when said valve is closed.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

GEORGE H. PARSONS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

